Fundraising hostess accused of $20m AIG insurance fraud now held on intimidation charges

by Insurance Business15 Jun 2016

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Fundraising hostess accused of $20m AIG insurance fraud now held on intimidation charges

When Claire Risoldi was arrested for insurance fraud she made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Police swooped after a fire at Clairemont, the eponymous mansion she owned in New Hope. It was the third fire at the property in 5 years.

AIG had already paid out $20 million for the previous fires and was facing another $20 million in claims including $10 million for jewelry alleged to have been stolen by firefighters.

Authorities have already seized nearly $7 million of assets from her family including six Ferraris, two Rolls Royces, and AC Cobra and $4.2 million in jewelry and funds in banks.

Last Thursday a Pennsylvania judge ordered the 69 year old to be held for trial on witness intimidation charges.
During a six-hour hearing authorities claimed Risoldi obtained a subpoena from her attorney to harass witnesses that had given evidence to the grand jury that had recommended her arrest.

On Friday Thomas Gavin, a Chester County Senior Judge sentenced her to 30 days for contempt of court for using the subpoena to circumvent his order not to approach witnesses.